Snap fit stud

ABSTRACT

A mounting stud for supporting a component such as a gear in an imaging machine. The mounting stud is removably securable to a wall.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fastening system and moreparticularly to a mounting stud that is removable and/or securable to awall of an imaging apparatus. The features of the present inventionprovide in embodiments a mounting system advantageously for use in mostany apparatus which requires mounting studs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrophotographic marking is a well-known, commonly used method ofcopying or printing documents. Electrophotographic marking is performedby exposing a charged photoreceptor with a light image representation ofa desired document. The photoreceptor is discharged in response to thatlight image, creating an electrostatic latent image of the desireddocument on the photoreceptor's surface. Toner particles are thendeposited onto that latent image, forming a toner image, which is thentransferred onto a substrate, such as a sheet of paper. The transferredtoner image is then fused to the substrate, usually using heat and/orpressure, thereby creating a permanent record of the originalrepresentation. The surface of the photoreceptor is then cleaned ofresidual developing material and recharged in preparation for theproduction of other images. Other marking technologies, for example,electrostatographic marking and ionography are also well-known.

An electrophotographic marking machine generally may include studs forsupporting and connecting parts such as a gear. Studs have typicallybeen joined by welding, rivets, threads, or screws. Rivets may requirethe use of special machinery to assemble; rivets may become loose;rivets may rattle during use; and rivets may be generally difficult andexpensive to remove for remanufacturing purposes. Screws havedisadvantages in that they may require a substantial amount of assemblytime, may become loose during use, and may become very time consuming toremove. Therefore, a stud that may be easily manufactured and that isremovably securable to a surface for use with other components would bebeneficial.

To conserve natural resources and provide for a machine with improvedfeatures and more new technology, machinery is often remanufactured anddisassembled. The removal of a stud represents a cost associated withremanufacturing of the machines. The time required to remove a stud maybe a significant remanufacturing cost factor. Moreover, it has beenincreasingly important to develop lighter materials for the framework ofthe machines. Accordingly, many modern machines utilize a fabricatedsheet metal or plastic frame comprised of relatively thin walled supportstructures. It is therefore desirable to provide a stud which may beremovably-securable to a wall and which provides generally highdurability.

Reference is made to the following United States patents relating toreproduction machines and components including U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,024,497;5,632,684; 5,511,885; 5,457,520; 4,804,277; and 4,134,175, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

All documents cited herein, including the foregoing, are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to embodiments of a stud with snap-fitmounting features for use in walls of an imaging machine.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided, astud apparatus including a first member, a second member, and a thirdmember. The first member extends along an imaginary axis between aproximal end and a distal end. The first member includes an outsideperiphery. A second member extends from the distal end of the firstmember axially along the imaginary axis and extends radially outwardfrom the imaginary axis past the outside periphery of the first member.A third member extends from the second member axially along theimaginary axis and extends radially outward from the imaginary axis. Thethird member includes a leg extending outward from the imaginary axisspaced from the second member. The leg includes an end extending in adirection toward the second member.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided, amounting system for a xerographic imaging apparatus including a wall, afirst member, a second member, and a third member. The wall includes aplurality of openings. The first member extends a length along animaginary axis and includes an outside periphery. The second memberextends along the imaginary axis and radially extends from an end of thefirst member. The third member extends along the imaginary axis from thesecond member and then radially outward from the imaginary axis forminga leg extending at least partially spaced from the second member. Theleg includes a protrusion extending toward the second member. Theprotrusion removably secures to the wall. The wall is positioned betweenthe second member and the leg in the xerographic imaging apparatus.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided,a stud apparatus including a member having a first portion and a secondportion. The first portion extends a distance and includes a flange, apost, and a proximal end. The post is for receiving a component thereon.The second portion extends from the first portion for a distance to adistal end. The distal end includes a protrusion. The distal end movesbetween a first position and a second position for forming an openingbetween the protrusion and the flange and for receiving a wallfunctionally adjacent the proximal end. The protrusion is for fitting inan opening in the wall when the distal end is in the first position.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided, aprocess of mounting a removably securable stud in a wall of an imagingapparatus including: orienting a stud with respect to a first hole in awall of an imaging apparatus, the stud including a first memberextending to a first end, a flange, and a second member including a legextending to a second end, the leg adapted to be movable; placing theleg through the first hole in the wall such that the first member is ona first side of the wall and the leg is on a second side of the wall;and moving the stud with respect to the wall such that the second end ofthe leg becomes removably securable in a second hole in the wall. Theprocess of mounting the removably securable stud may further include:inserting an opening of a component over the first member of the stud;and removably securing the component to the first member of the stud.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided,a mounting apparatus including a post member and a clip member. The postmember extends along an imaginary axis between ends. The clip memberextends from the post member and is for removable securement to a wallusing two sides of the wall. The clip member has a protrusion forremovable securement to an opening in the wall.

Still other features, aspects and advantages of the present inventionand methods of construction of the same will become readily apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following detailed description. Aswill be realized, the invention is capable of other and differentembodiments and methods of construction, and its several details arecapable of modification in various obvious respects, all withoutdeparting from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and descriptionare to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a stud mounting system;

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective of the stud mounting system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevational view of the stud mounting system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevational view of the stud mounting system;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a mounting stud;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a mounting stud;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front elevational view of the stud mounting systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 illustrates a back elevational view of the stud mounting systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the mounting stud along with amounting plate; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic elevational view of an imaging machine utilizingthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to embodiments of a stud for mounting inwalls of an imaging machine. While the principles of the presentinvention will be described in connection with an imaging machine, suchas an electrostatographic reproduction machine, it should be understoodthat the present invention is not limited to that embodiment or to thatapplication. Therefore, it is should be understood that the principlesof the present invention extend to all alternatives, modifications, andequivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

Referring to FIG. 10 of the drawings, an illustrative imaging machineincorporating the stud of the present invention is shown. The imagingmachine employs a photoconductive belt 10. Belt 10 moves in thedirection of arrow 12 to advance successive portions sequentiallythrough the various processing stations disposed about the path ofmovement thereof. Belt 10 is entrained about stripping roller 14,tensioning roller 16, idler roll 18 and drive s roller 20. As roller 20rotates, it advances belt 10 in the direction of arrow 12.

Initially, a portion of the photoconductive surface passes throughcharging station A. At charging station A, two corona generating devicesindicated generally by the reference numerals 22 and 24 charge thephotoconductive belt 10 to a relatively high, substantially uniformpotential.

Next, the charged portion of the photoconductive surface is advancedthrough imaging station B. At the imaging station, an imaging moduleindicated generally by the reference numeral 26, records anelectrostatic latent image on the photoconductive surface of the belt10. Imaging module 26 includes a raster output scanner (ROS). The ROSlays out the electrostatic latent image in a series of horizontal scanlines with each line having a specified number of pixels per inch. Othertypes of imaging systems may also be used employing, for example, apivoting or shiftable LED write bar or projection LCD (liquid crystaldisplay) or other electro-optic display as the “write” source.

The imaging module 26 (ROS) includes a laser 110 for generating acollimated beam of monochromatic radiation 122, an electronic subsystem(ESS), located in the machine electronic printing controller 100 thattransmits a set of signals via 114 corresponding to a series of pixelsto the laser 110 and/or modulator 112, a modulator and beam shapingoptics unit 112, which modulates the beam 122 in accordance with theimage information received from the ESS, and a rotatable polygon 118having mirror facets for sweep deflecting the beam 122 into raster scanlines which sequentially expose the surface of the belt 10 at imagingstation B. A user interface (UI) 150 is associated with the controller76.

Thereafter, belt 10 advances the electrostatic latent image recordedthereon to development station C. Development station C has threemagnetic brush developer rolls indicated generally by the referencenumerals 34, 36 and 38. A paddle wheel picks up developer material anddelivers it to the developer rolls. When the developer material reachesrolls 34 and 36, it is magnetically split between the rolls with half ofthe developer material being delivered to each roll. Photoconductivebelt 10 is partially wrapped about rolls 34 and 36 to form extendeddevelopment zones. Developer roll 38 is a clean-up roll. The latentimage attracts toner particles from the carrier granules of thedeveloper material to form a toner powder image on the photoconductivesurface of belt 10. Belt 10 then advances the toner powder image totransfer station D.

At transfer station D, a copy sheet is moved into contact with the tonerpowder image. First, photoconductive belt 10 is exposed to a pretransferlight from a lamp (not shown) to reduce the attraction betweenphotoconductive belt 10 and the toner powder image. Next, a corona,generating device 40 charges the copy sheet to the proper magnitude andpolarity so that the copy sheet is tacked to photoconductive belt 10 andthe toner powder image attracted from the photoconductive belt to thecopy sheet. After transfer, corona generator 42 charges the copy sheetto the opposite polarity to detack the copy sheet from belt 10. Conveyor44 advances the copy sheet to fusing station E.

Fusing station E includes a fuser assembly indicated generally by thereference numeral 46 which permanently affixes the transferred tonerpowder image to the copy sheet. Preferably, fuser assembly 46 includes aheated fuser roller 48 and a pressure roller 50 with the powder image onthe copy sheet contacting fuser roller 48. The pressure roller is cammedagainst the fuser roller to provide the necessary pressure to fix thetoner powder image to the copy sheet. The fuser roll is internallyheated by a quartz lamp. Release agent, stored in a reservoir, is pumpedto a metering roll. A trim blade trims off the excess release agent. Therelease agent transfers to a donor roll and then to the fuser roll.

After fusing, the copy sheets are fed through a decurler 52. Decurler 52bends the copy sheet in one direction to put a known curl in the copysheet and then bends it in the opposite direction to remove that curl.

Forwarding rollers 54 then advance the sheet to duplex turn roll 56.Duplex solenoid gate 58 guides the sheet to the finishing station F, orto duplex tray 60. At finishing station F, copy sheets are stacked in acompiler tray and attached to one another to form sets. When duplexsolenoid gate 58 diverts the sheet into duplex tray 60. Duplex tray 60provides an intermediate or buffer storage for those sheets that havebeen printed on one side and on which an image will be subsequentlyprinted on the second, opposite side thereof, i.e., the sheets beingduplexed. The sheets are stacked in duplex tray 60 facedown on top ofone another in the order in which they are copied.

In order to complete duplex copying, the simplex sheets in tray 60 arefed, in seriatim, by bottom feeder 62 from tray 60 back to transferstation D via conveyor 64 and rollers 66 for transfer of the tonerpowder image to the opposed sides of the copy sheets. Inasmuch assuccessive bottom sheets are fed from duplex tray 60, the proper orclean side of the copy sheet is positioned in contact with belt 10 attransfer station D so that the toner powder image is transferredthereto. The duplex sheet is then fed through the same path as thesimplex sheet to be advanced to finishing station F.

The high capacity variable sheet size sheet feeder of the presentinvention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, is theprimary source of copy sheets. Feed belt 81 feeds successive uppermostsheets from the stack to a take-away drive roll 82 and idler rolls 84.The drive roll and idler rolls guide the sheet onto transport 86.Transport 86 advances the sheet to rolls 66 which, in turn, move thesheet to transfer station D.

Secondary tray 68 and auxiliary tray 72 are secondary sources of copysheets. Copy sheets are fed to transfer station D from the secondarytray 68 or auxiliary tray 72. Sheet feeders 70, 74 are friction retardfeeders utilizing feed belts and take-away rolls to advance successivecopy sheets to transport 64 which advances the sheets to rolls 66 andthen to transfer station D. The copy sheet is registered just prior toentering transfer station D so that the sheet is aligned to receive thedeveloped image thereon.

Invariably, after the copy sheet is separated from the photoconductivebelt 10, some residual particles remain adhering thereto. Aftertransfer, photoconductive belt 10 passes beneath corona generatingdevice 94 which charges the residual toner particles to the properpolarity. Thereafter, the pre-charge erase lamp (not shown), locatedinside photoconductive belt 10, discharges the photoconductive belt inpreparation for the next charging cycle. Residual particles are removedfrom the photoconductive surface at cleaning station G. Cleaning stationG includes an electrically biased cleaner brush 88 and two de-toningrolls.

The various machine functions are regulated by a controller 76. Thecontroller 76 is preferably a programmable microprocessor which controlsall of the machine functions hereinbefore described. The controllerprovides a comparison count of the copy sheets, the number of documentsbeing recirculated, the number of copy sheets selected by the operator,time delays, jam corrections, etc. The control of all of the exemplarysystems heretofore described may be accomplished by conventional controlswitch inputs from the printing machine consoles selected by theoperator. Conventional sheet path sensors or switches may be utilized tokeep track of the position of the document and the copy sheets.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-2, illustrated is a partial cut-away view fromthe imaging machine of FIG. 10 illustrating the mounting stud 200 of thepresent invention as it is to be installed in a wall 500. The stud 200may be associated with electrostatographic process members and documenthandling members in an imaging machine. The stud 200 includes a post220, a flange 230, and a fastening member 240. The flange 230 extendsradially from the post 220. The fastening member 240 includes flexiblemember 250 and end 260. The fastening member 240 originates from asurface 270 of the flange 230 and first extends axially along imaginaryaxis z and then extends a distance along the flexible member 250 to anend 260. The flange 230 has a surface 270 facing a surface of theflexible member 250. The surface 270 has an area greater than area ofthe surface of flexible member 250 facing the flange 230. The stud 200is intended to be a generally low profile mounting system. Thus, theflexible member 250 extends substantially parallel to the flange 230,within about 0 to about 30 degrees, such as within about 10 degrees tothe flange 230. The end 260 of the flexible member 250 may be adjacentthe flange 230 in a free state and may be biased toward the flange 230.The flexible member 250 may be flexible such that the end 260 is movablefrom a free state position to an open position for allowing passage of awall 500 or plate 515 into a slot 290. The end 260 of the flexiblemember 250 may fit in an opening 540 such as a notch or a hole forremovable securement to a wall 500 or a plate 515.

The wall 500 or plate 515 (FIG. 9) has an opening 520 with a connectedopening 520′ to allow passage of the fastening member 240 through thewall 500. The openings 520, 520′ together form an opening sufficient insize to allow the fastening member 240 to pass through from one side ofthe wall 500 to the other side of the wall 500. Once, the fasteningmember 240 is through the wall 500, the fastening member 240 is thenmoved toward the far end of the opening 520′ toward the opening 540causing the end 260 to become orienting in the opening 540 and removablysecured to the wall 500. The openings 520, 520′ together are larger thanthe opening 540. Also shown is a gear 400 as it is to be installed ontothe post 220. The post 220 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape toallow rotation of the gear 400 thereon. The openings 520, 520′ in thewall 500 may have a combined area that is larger than another opening540. The combined area of openings 520, 520′ allows the fastening member260 to enter the openings 520, 520′ as it extends from the flange 230and also pass through the openings 520, 520′ to the other side of thewall 500. A part of the fastening member 260, about the thickness X ofthe wall 500 or plate 515, remains in the openings 520, 520′. Theopenings 520, 520′ prevent passage of the flange 230 through the wall500. The wall 500 may be part of a housing of an imaging machine.

For installation, the fastening member 240 is axially inserted throughopenings 520, 520′ of the wall 500 until the surface 270 of the flange230 contacts a surface 510 of the wall 500. Then, the flexible member250 and the end 260 are moved away from the flange 230 and the stud 200is moved along the wall 500 as the wall 500 is inserted into the slot290 between the flexible member 250 and the flange 230. The slot 290allows a thickness X of the wall 500 to fit therein. The end 260 of theflexible member 250 is biased toward the flange 270 and once the end 260reaches an opening 540 in the wall 500, the end 260 becomes situated inthe opening 540 and the stud 200 is removably secured to the wall 500.The fastening member 240, including the flexible member 250 and the end260, wraps around a portion of the wall 500 and cooperate with theopenings 520, 520′, 540 to removably secure the stud 200 to the wall500. The fastening member 240 and the flange 230 provide sufficientsurface area contact with the wall 500 to limit movement and rotation ofthe stud 200 with respect to the wall 500. The gear 400 may be removablysecured to the post 220 using a fastening system such as a notch 280 andclip 450. A step member 210 at the intersection of the post 220 and theflange 230 may be used for seating the gear 400 against to minimizesurface friction between moving surfaces. The step member 210 mayextending radially outward from the post 220 and extend less than theflange 230. The stud may be removed from the wall 500 by first liftingthe end 260 out of the opening 540 and then reversing the installationdescribed above.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate side elevational views of the stud 200. Theflexible member 250 may extend substantially parallel to the flange 230and may be moved away from the flange 230 to allow the wall 500 to passinto the slot 290 formed between the flexible member 250 and the flange230. The stud 200 and openings 520, 520′; 540 cooperate to removeablysecure and limit movement of the stud 200 with respect to the wall 500.The end 260 of the flexible member 250 may be formed in a shapesufficient for extending into the opening 540 and for removablesecurement to the opening 540. The end 260 may include a chamfer orangular portion for allowing generally easy positioning into the opening540. The flange 230 may be circular, square, rectangular, or irregular.The flange 230 may be used for providing stability against the surface510 of the wall 500 and for covering one side of the openings 520, 520′,540.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate side elevational views and dimensions of the stud200. FIGS. 7-8 illustrates a front and back elevational views of thestud 200 disposed in a wall 500. The post 220 rotatably supports a gear40.

Turning now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a partial cut-away view fromthe imaging machine of FIG. 10 illustrating a perspective view of amounting plate 515 and one of the studs 200 as it is to be mounted. Theplate 515 may serve as a patch over an existing hole. The plate 515 mayhave a size and perimeter for covering a hole in a wall and include aplurality of openings 520, 520′, 540. The openings 520, 520′ in the wall500 may have a combined area that is larger than opening 540. Theopening 540 may include a notches or a hole. The combined area ofopenings 520, 520′ may allow the fastening member 260 to enter theopenings 520, 520′ as it extends from the flange 230 and also passthrough the openings 520, 520′ to the other side of the wall 500. Thecombined area of the openings 520, 520′ may prevent passage of theflange 230 through the plate 515. The plate 515 may be part of a housingof an imaging machine. The plate 515 may have a periphery which isround, square, rectangular or irregular provided it is large enough tomount over an opening in the wall 500 of an imaging machine. The plate515 may be fastened to the wall 500 using thermal, chemical ormechanical systems including screws, rivets, welding, brazing,adhesives. The plate 515 may be permanent or removably securable to thewall 500 before or after the stud 200 is secured to the plate 515. Alsoshown is a gear 400 as it is installed on the post 220.

Other features and alternatives of the stud 220 are also envisioned forapplications inside an imaging machine. The stud 200 may be formed usinga generally simple manufacturing process using a material having agenerally low coefficient of friction. The stud 200 may be comprised ofa material having a coefficient of friction ranging from about 0.2 toabout 0.3 and a hardness of about 1.3 ft-lb/in. The stud 200 may bemolded in one-piece using a mold and may be comprised of plastic ornylon materials. The stud 200 may be comprised of a plastic resinincluding an Acetal resin. The stud 200 may be comprised of Delrin®500CL which is commercially available from Dupont®. The stud 200 mayfurther include a metal bearing (phosphor bronze) or a ball race on thepost 220.

Various sizes and shapes of the various elements of the stud 200 areenvisioned. For example, Dimension A may range from about 0.059 inches(1.5 mm) to about 0.157 inches (4 mm), preferably about 0.079 inches (2mm); Dimension B may range from about 0.029 inches (0.75 mm) to about0.118 inches (3 mm), preferably about 0.059 inches (1.5 mm); Dimension Cmay range from about 0.019 inches (0.5 mm) to about 0.079 inches (2 mm),preferably about 0.039 inches (1 mm); Dimension D may range from about0.236 inches (6 mm) to about 0.945 inches (24 mm), preferably about0.472 inches (12 mm); Dimension E may range from about 0.354 inches (9mm) to about 1.417 inches (36 mm), preferably about 0.708 inches (18mm); Dimension F may range from about 0.019 inches (0.5 mm) to about0.079 inches (2 mm), preferably about 0.039 inches (1 mm); Dimension Gmay range from about 0.059 inches (1.5 mm) to about 0.236 inches (6 mm),preferably about 0.118 inches (3 mm); Dimension H may range from about0.029 inches (0.75 mm) to about 0.079 inches (2 mm), preferably about0.059 inches (1.5 mm); Dimension J may range from about 0.015 inches(0.4 mm) to about 0.063 inches (1.6 mm), preferably about 0.031 inches(0.8 mm); Dimension K may range from about 0.255 inches (6.5 mm) toabout 1.024 inches (26 mm), preferably about 0.512 inches (13 mm);Diameter L may range from about 0.157 inches (4 mm) to about 0.630inches (16 mm), preferably about 0.315 inches (8 mm); Diameter M mayrange from about 0.314 inches (8 mm) to about 1.260 inches (32 mm),preferably about 0.630 inches (16 mm); Diameter N may range from about0.708 inches (18 mm) to about 2.835 inches (72 mm), preferably about1.417 inches (36 mm); Diameter P may range from about 0.256 inches (6.5mm) to about 0.866 inches (22 mm), preferably about 0.433 inches (11mm); Diameter R may range from about 0.157 inches (4 mm) to about 0.630inches (16 mm), preferably about 0.315 inches (8 mm); Diameter S mayrange from about 0.354 inches (9 mm) to about 1.417 inches (36 mm),preferably about 0.708 inches (18 mm); Diameter T may range from about0.159 inches (4.05 mm) to about 0.632 inches (16.05 mm), preferablyabout 0.317 inches (8.05 mm); Dimension U may range from about 0.177inches (4.5 mm) to about 0.708 inches (18 mm), preferably about 0.354inches (9 mm); Dimension V may range from about 0.118 inches (3 mm) toabout 0.472 inches (12 mm), preferably about 0.236 inches (6 mm);Dimension W may range from about 0.157 inches (4 mm) to about 0.630inches (16 mm), preferably about 0.315 inches (8 mm); Wall thickness Xmay range from about 0.024 inches (0.6 mm) to about 0.094 inches (2.4mm), preferably about 0.047 inches (1.2 mm); and End 260 may move adistance ranging from about 0.027 inches (0.7 mm) to about 0.098 inches(2.5 mm), preferably about 0.051 inches (1.3 mm) to accommodate the wall500 in the slot 290. The dimension U may be much wider than thedimension W provided the end 260 is firmly removably securable to theopening 540′. The openings 520, 520′, 540 each have a function and theirsize with respect to the features of the stud 200 provides a firm fitbetween the stud 200 and the wall 500 or plate 515. Further openings andslots in the wall 500 or plate 515 and further attachment features onthe stud 200 are envisioned although their addition may alter thestrength of the stud 200 and the wall 500 or plate 515.

In recapitulation, there is provided a stud 200 for supporting acomponent such as a gear 400 to a wall 500 or plate 515 of an imagingmachine such as a xerographic apparatus. The stud 200 described hereinmay generally be easily mounted and easily removed from an imagingmachine without complex assembly or disassembly of components.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with a specificembodiment thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications,and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stud apparatus comprising: a first memberextending along an imaginary axis between a proximal end and a distalend, the first member including an outside periphery; a second memberextending from the distal end of the first member axially along theimaginary axis and extending radially outward from the imaginary axispast the outside periphery of the first member; a third member extendingfrom the second member axially along the imaginary axis and extendingradially outward from the imaginary axis, the third member including aleg extending outward from the imaginary axis spaced from the secondmember, the leg including an end extending in a direction toward thesecond member; wherein the stud apparatus is non-threaded.
 2. The studapparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a wall functionallyassociated with the stud apparatus, the wall including a plurality ofopenings, each opening having an area; wherein the area of one openingallows the third member to at least one of enter the opening and passthrough the opening and wherein the area of the one opening preventspassage of the second member through the wall.
 3. The stud apparatusaccording to claim 2 wherein the wall is situated between the secondmember and the third member and the stud apparatus is removeablysecurable to the wall.
 4. The stud apparatus according to claim 3wherein the wall is part of a housing of an imaging machine.
 5. The studapparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a component removablysecured to the first member.
 6. The stud apparatus according to claim 5wherein the second member has a first surface area facing the leg andthe leg has a second surface area facing the second member, the firstsurface area being greater than the second surface area.
 7. The studapparatus according to claim 6 wherein the leg extends substantiallyparallel to the second member.
 8. The stud apparatus according to claim2 wherein the plurality of openings includes at least one of a notch anda hole and wherein the end of the leg is adapted to fit in the at leastone of the notch and the hole for removable securement to the wall. 9.The stud apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the second member andthe third member cooperate with the other to substantially limitmovement of the first member with respect to the wall.
 10. The studapparatus according to claim 2 wherein one opening is larger than theother opening.
 11. The stud apparatus according to claim 1 wherein theend of the leg is functionally adjacent the second member in a freestate.
 12. The stud apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising aplate member functionally associated with the stud apparatus, the platemember having a size and perimeter for covering a hole in a wall, theplate member including a plurality of openings; wherein the area of oneopening allows the third member to at least one of enter the opening andpass through the opening and wherein the area of the one openingprevents passage of the second member through the wall, the plate memberadapted to be securable to a housing.
 13. The stud apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein the leg is flexible and the end is movable from afirst position to a second position.
 14. The stud apparatus according toclaim 1 further comprising a fourth member between the first member andthe second member, the fourth member forming a step extending radiallyoutward from the first member and extending radially outward less thanthe second member.
 15. The stud apparatus according to claim 1 whereinthe end of the leg is biased toward the second member.
 16. The studapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the stud apparatus comprises aplastic resin.
 17. The stud apparatus according to claim 16 wherein theplastic resin includes an Acetal resin.
 18. A stud apparatus comprising:a member including a first portion and a second portion, the firstportion extending a distance and including a flange, a post, and aproximal end, the post for receiving a component thereon; the secondportion extending from the first portion for a distance to a distal end,the distal end including a protrusion; wherein the distal end is adaptedto move between a first position and a second position for forming anopening between the protrusion and the flange and for receiving a wallfunctionally adjacent the proximal end and wherein the protrusion is forfitting in an opening in the wall when the distal end is in the firstposition; and wherein the second portion includes a leg extending adistance substantially parallel to the flange when the distal end is inthe first position.
 19. A stud apparatus comprising: a post having alength, the post for receiving a component thereon; and a clip extendingfrom one end of the post, the clip including a flange and a leg, the legextending for a distance to a distal end, the distal end of the legincluding a protrusion; wherein the leg is adapted to move between afirst position and a second position for forming an opening between theprotrusion and the flange and for receiving a wall functionally adjacentthe flange; wherein the protrusion is for fitting in an opening in thewall when the distal end is in the first position; and wherein the clipmember is non-threaded.